Office machine



May 27, 1952 BQYDEN 2,598,342

OFFICE MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1948 I N V EN TOR: Eabe/"f E Hayden M% hisPatented May 27, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OFFICE MACHINE RobertE. Boyden, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Marchant Calculating MachineCompany, a corporation of California Application February 24, 1948,Serial No. 10,862

3 Claims. (Cl. 45-681) This invention relates to office machines andmore particularly concerns the construction and assembly of coverstherefor. 7

Covers which completely enclose oifice machines have heretofore requiredoutwardly exposed screws or similar means for attaching the covers tothe inside framework of the machine. In order that cover assemblies maybe attractive as well as useful, manufacturers of office machines haveinclined toward improvements in appearance and styling. Such appearanceis notably enhanced by eliminating exposed screws or their equivalentfrom the outside surface of the covers.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to arrangeand securely attach the covers of such machines without using outwardlyexposed visible screws or the like.

It is a further object of the invention to attain.

the objective set forth in the primary object of the invention byoverlapping and interlocking one or more covers with other covers.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine coverassembly in which certain of the covers may be held securely in placewithout the use of any external or internal screws or the like.

. Other objects will be apparent from detailed description of apreferred form of the invention, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of the specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a right side view partially in section showing the manner inwhich various covers are attached to the framework of the machine and/or interlocked with other covers.

Fig. 2 is a front view partially in section taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1with the front cover removed and illustrating the interlocking relationof the top and bottom covers to the side covers.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2showing the manner in which the left side cover is secured to theframework of the machine and also illustrating the interlocking of thefront cover with that side cover.

2 locked in position by flanges interlocking with flanges of adjacentcovers without using any screws or the like, as will appear more clearlyfrom the following detailed description of the invention.

The cover assembly (Figs. 1 and 2) consists of two side covers I and H,a back cover 30, a top or keyboard cover 40, a front cover 60, and abottom cover or plate 10.

The initial step in assembling the interlocking covers is to attach theside covers to the framework of the machine. Three framework bracketsl5, l6, and I! (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and secured to the framework of themachine are provided for supporting side cover ID or H (Fig. 1). Forthis purpose the brackets have molded thereon, or otherwise securedthereto, grommets 18 (Fig. 2) which are adapted to receive the reducedshank 23 (Figs. 2 and 4) of respective projections l2, l3, and I4 formedon the inside of each side cover l0 and I l. A knob 2| is formed on theend of each shank 23 and after being pressed through the grommet, theknob serves to yieldably hold the shank within the grommet, with theshoulder IQ of a projection [2, I3, or M pressed against said grommet.

If it is preferred to use screws or the like for attaching the sidecovers to the framework brackets, the screws may be inserted through thebrackets into threaded bosses formed on the inside of the covers, theback cover being swung counter-clockwise from the position shown in Fig.1 to permit the insertion of the screws from the inside of the machine.

In this manner an unbroken exterior finish of the side covers ispreserved either by attaching the covers to the framework of the machinewithout the use of screws or the like, or if screws are used for suchattaching, the screws may be inserted into the inside of said coversfrom the inside of the machine.

As seen in Fig. 5 each side cover I!) and H has formed as a part thereofa laterally extending portion so shaped as to conform with the outlineof a shiftable carriage 80 shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. Theextending portion 20 forms a part of the cover design and also aids inpreventing the entry of dust into the machine when the carriage isshifted to either of its end positions.

The back cover (Fig. 1) is pivotally supported between similar upperextensions 21 of side covers Ill and H. As illustrated in Fig. 5, theright side extension, for example, carries a spring urged plungeradapted to pass through an aperture formed in an ear 3| of the backcover.

It will be apparent that fixed studs or the like could be carried by theside covers Ill and II in place of the spring urged plungers 35 in whichcase the studs on the side covers would be inserted into theirrespective ears 3| of the back cover before the second side cover isattached, the back cover as viewed in Fig. 1 being swungcounter-clockwise about the studs so that flanges on the back cover willsubsequently overlie and interlock with cooperating flanges on the sidecovers when the back cover is swung counter-clockwise into properposition.

Back cover 30 is secured against lateral movement by right and leftflanges 33 (Fig. 4) there? on overlying and interlocking with rearwardlyextending flanges 22 on side covers 10 and H. In addition to beingpivotally supported, as described above, the back cover is yieldablysecured to the framework of the machine and is urged into interlockinrelationship with th id c v rs by tw spr n s. -3 (Fi s .1. attach d eaat on end to respective bracke s 3 1 the insi .o a k co e ,30 andadapted at their-other ends to be drawn by means of a hook or other toolover respective extens ons .8 of b ack ts t l t e bein p viously discosed a s c red to th f-ramewe k of the machine. When bottom pl e "Us secas later described, the bottom flange 35 of back cover 3.0-wi1 he intelock d by a f an e I on he bottom plate ll Fig to comp e e h se r n ocover :30.

' Theton orkeyhqard cover 4 has a e t s (not sh wn) formed therein t ree ve the-respect v hume n con r -k s '9 the k oard d .hasrbraeketsmountd u d rneath its forwa d a d war en s by m ans o which it is atta h d toth ram workof thema hin Two rearward brackets..." of cover all], asillustrated in Fig.1, are

each adapted o eive th r arward e d o a v,

an .5 itheh aekets 151 an 56 a so s pp tin t .plungers 46 previouslydescribed.

flop cover 40 has left and right side flanges 4 8 and ie w ic v rli restive-co peratins f an .2 a d o le t and rightsid e r l0 and H. Adependingfront-flange 41 Fig. 1) on en c e 4!! is rovided fo c op r t onwit r .1; co r as ter descr d- -F. e .e v j meu i h fo owin -manner. Thecover is placed in tentative alignment with side covers 10 and 1:1. Thenthe forward end of cover All is raised to expose the forward end ofplungers which are withdrawn to the left as viewed in Fig. 1 by anamount sufficient to clear the rear brackets 42 and allow the same to.drop into alignment with the. plungers.

Upon the release of the .plungers =to-the tension of plunger springs 41the-plungers enter the apertures in brackets 42 to lock the rearward endof cover 40 to theframework of the machine. The fron end ofcover 40 isthen lowered so that slots cut in the forward brackets 53, 54, andoverlie the shanks of set screws 5!, 5'2, and 53 which screws aretightened to complete the securing of cover to the framework of themachine.

The front coverfifl'is interlocked in proper position-by top cover 40,side covers 10 and LI and bottom plate'lo without the use ofscrews-springs,

or other such attaching device's. Front cover 63 is mounted by hookingthe flange 62 (Fig. l) thereon under flange 4| of the top cover whileholding the lower portion of the front cover slightly clockwise from theposition shown and then by swinging it counter-clockwise so that itssimilar left and right side flanges 63 (Fig. 3) overlie and interlockwith respective flanges 26 of the left and right side covers.

Bottom plate 10 is mounted last to complete the cover assembly. Frontflange 14 (Fig. 1) of bottom plate 19 overlies and interlocks withflange 62 of front cover while rear flange H of plate 70 overlies andinterlocks with flange 36 of back cover 30. Left and right side flanges12 and 13 (Fig. 2) of bottom plate 10 overlie and interlock with flanges28 and 29 of left and right side covers respectively.

The bottom plate 10 is secured to the framework of the machine by fourrubber foot assemblies 65 .(Fig. 5), eachincludingalllbher foot 69, asteel collar 67, a rubber retainer 58, ,a washer 64 and a screw 66..Rubber fcotsfifl underlies an aperture formed in bottomplate T118 andis {formed to receive .collar fil. An .upper shqulder .of the latter isadapted to .protrude through the aligned aperture of plate 70. Retainer58 lies between plate l0 and washer 3.4 adjacent the machine framework,and is recessed to receiveqandxenflp over the upper shoulder .of thesteel collar .61. At the time of attaching the bottom cover or plate tothe machine the foot '69, collar 6.7, plate 10 and retainer 58. areassembled into anintegral unit. Screw 66 is inserted through the "abovementioned collar, and .is tightened into the framework of the machine toattach plate '10 .and foot assembly 65 to the same. With the machinestanding on its four. feetfiill the screws 66, be ing embedded inthe-feet, cannot be seen.

An alternative method of attaching the-rubber feet 69 .and the bottomplate "I0 .to the framework of the machine is to substitute a bayonettype mount for the threaded portion of the screw 65 which is thenlockedinto the framework of .the machine bya partial .turn ofthe screw.

When the covers comprising the cover assembly are secured, the screws,springs, grommets, and plungers that aid in holding the covers .totheframework of the machinearecompletely hidden, thus providing smoothexteriorsurfaces. The in,- -terlocks and overlapping edges constitutinga partof the organization for holding and retaining the various coversin place-reduce thenumber,

of operations and-the time required'for attaching or removing the coverassembly from the framework of the machine.

For servicing the machine, all or part of the covers maybe removed asthe occasion demands.

By removing four screws and the bottom cover,

the front'cover may be removedfrominterlocking relation with theside'and 'top covers. Loosening the three screws 5 552, and 53 (Fig. 2)toaether w th w thd awal of .t o p lmge lfi al ows removal of thekeyboard or top cover 40. (than, by detaching the two springs 34(Fig. 1) .the back cover may be swung counter-clockwise On its p ots 5unt l t res s o top of the keyboa d. and at which time the detachment ofthe two side covers [0 and ,'II from their respective sup.- portingframework brackets completely strips the machine of covers.

From th f e oin dese in n-of th p e err embodiment of the invention itwill appear that various modificationsof interlocking covers based uponthe principle disclosed herein could be d evised; for example, insteadof the framework limiting inward movement of the side covers, as shownin Fig. 2, with flanges on the bottom cover preventing outward movementof the side covers, the flanges of the side covers could, as well, fitinside slots or flanges on the bottom frame work to prevent outwardmovement of the Side covers relative thereto, with flanges on the bottomcover to fit inside the flanges of the side covers to prevent inwardmovement of the latter and wedge or press the side cover flangesoutwardly against the bottom framework flanges or slots.

I claim:

1. In an oflice machine, the combination of an internal framework, andan external cover assembly including a first cover, and restrainindevices including a part of the framework to limit movement of saidcover relative to the framework in all but one direction, a second coverfixed to the framework and lying in a plane substantially perpendicularto the plane of said first cover, a flange formed on the second coverand interlocking one of the edges of the first cover to prevent movementof said one edge of the latter cover in said one direction, a thirdcover fixed to the framework and lying in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of the first cover, a flange formed on thethird cover and interlocking another one of the edges of the first coverto prevent movement of the latter edge of said cover in said onedirection.

2. In an office machine, the combination of an internal framework, andan external cover assembly including, two side covers, a cover pivotallymounted at both sides of the top edge thereof to the respective rightand left side covers, means work, means including a part of said sidecovers and a part of said framework to prevent inward movement of theside covers relative to the framework, a bottom cover secured to theframework and including a flange interlocking the bottom edge of thepivotally mounted cover to prevent outward movement of the bottom edgethereof and to maintain the side flanges in interlocking relation tosaid side covers.

3. In an office machine, the combination of an internal framework, andan external cover assembly including, a quadrilateral cover having anupturned flange formed longitudinally the upper edge of said cover, aninterlocking cover fixed to said framework and having a downwardlyformed flange disposed adjacent the outer edge of said upturned flangeto prevent outward movement of the upper edge of the quadrilateral coverrelative to said framework, a second interlocking cover fixed to theframework and having an upturned flange formed longitudinally saidsecond interlocking cover and disposed adj acent the outer surface ofthe lower edge of the quadrilateral cover to prevent outward movement ofsaid lower edge relative to said framework, two opposite covers eachhaving an edge disposed adjacent the inner surface of the two ends ofsaid quadrilateral cover to prevent inward movement thereof relative tothe framework, flanges formed on said two ends of the quadrilateralcover and interlocking the adjacent edges of said opposite covers toprevent outward movement of the latter covers relative to the framework,

ROBERT E. BOYDEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

